Drying frame for signs



Jan. .8, 1963 Filed May 11, 1959 v. D. RAMSEUR, JR

DRYING FRAME FOR SIGNS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 8, 1963 v. 0. RAMSEUR, JR

DRYING FRAME FOR SIGNS 2 Shoots-Shut 2 Filed May 11, 1959 .8 w m S r T m A 4 5 m G RM O 7 W l D 4. w G d M I r F W J m 5 m 7 I: 7 w w a w X a 1 I CL. 0 H L 7 m o .w m 7 5 o X $1 6 4 m q II: I 1 0/5 6 3 O O 3 6 5 2 6 6 6 X 5 F H 115 |.L. I,O 6 -A\2 e M 5 m 4 )0 A. 5 6 6 Q L 5 n w I Uite States 3,071,871 DRYING FRAME FOR SIGNS Vardry D. Ramseur, Jr., Greenville, S.C., assignor to Ports-Panel Products, Ina, Greenvilie, S.., a corporation of South Carolina Filed May 11, 1959, Ser. No. 812,5ti6 Claims. (Cl. 34-150) The present invention relates to a new and novel method of making signs and a supporting and drying frame particularly suited for use with the invention method.

It ha been a common practice for many years to apply or post signs to a sign board which is mounted in a fixed location. This practice is inefficient since it requires a crew of men to travel from place to place wherever the sign boards are located and then perform the posting operation. This, of course, necessitates the tran portation of equipment and the equipment must be carried to the sign board wherever it happens to be located.

It has long been felt desirable to provide a means for posting and applying signs'in a shop where the efficiency of applying the signs can be greatly enhanced since the equipment would be in one central location, and many signs could be posted one after another. This procedure has not been feasible with the large fixed signs which have been employed in outdoor advertising.

In shop posting has recently become practical due to the development of sign boards including a framework upon which portable panels may be readily mounted and removed therefrom. With these arrangements, the signs may be formed in the shop upon the separate panels of the sign boards, and then the panels are transported to the desired locations and mounted upon the sign board frameworks.

In order to provide the maximum efficiency in such inshop posting and production of signs, the separate panel should be posted in more or less assembly line techniques whereby the workmen can be kept continuously busy applying the posters to the panels without the necessity of time delays between the application of posters to different signs. The problem of making the type of signs employed in outdoor advertising is a major one since the size of the signs is generally quite large. For example, such signs may commonly have a height of greater than 10 feet and a width which may exceed 30 feet. It is evident that large surfaces must be covered, and it is not easy for a workman to efiiciently apply signs to large panels unless they are in the proper working position.

Accordingly, the frame of the present invention provides an arrangement wherein the panels are supported in substantially edge-to-edge relationship with the exposed faces thereof lying substantially in a plane. The framework is provided with flanges at the upper and lower portions thereof for supporting a first and second plurality of panels in edge-to-edge relationship with the first plurality of panels spaced from the second plurality of panels.

A heating means is supported at the lower portion of the framework intermediate the opposite side portions thereof such that when the heating means is energized, heat is applied in the space between the first and second plurality of panels supported on the framework. In this manner, the panels supported on the framework are dried while in operative position.

The arrangement is such that signs can be efliciently produced in the minimum amount of time. The first and second plurality of panels are first supported upon the framework in substantially edge-to-edge relationship. The sign poster means is then adhesively applied to the exposed faces of the first plurality of panels and the heating means is energized. A second sign poster means is then adhesively applied to the second plurality of panels.

3,7l,8?l i atenterl- J an. 8, 1963 ice The arrangement is such that while the second sign poster means is being applied, the first sign poster means is being dried on the first plurality of panels whereby upon completion of posting of the second poster means on the second plurality of panels, the first poster means on the first plurality of panels has been dried.

The first plurality of panels with the poster means thereon is then removed from the frame and a third plurality of panels is mounted in operative position in substantially edge-to-edge relationship with one another. A third sign poster means is then applied to the third plurality of panels while the second poster means is being dried. Upon completion of application of the third poster means, the second poster means is dry, and then the second plurality of panels with the applied poster means is removed whereupon a fourth plurality of panels is mounted in place of the second plurality of panels.

It is evident that such pluralities of panels are posted in succession as described above with the heating means serving to dry the previously posted poster means while the subsequent poster means is being applied. With this arrangement, the posters may be applied with maximum speed such that the posting operation is substantially continuous and an assembly line technique is obtained.

A further feature of the method according to the present invention is the application of a baked enamel finish to panels of signs. When it is desired to form a sign having a baked enamel finish, the panels are first mounted upon the framework as described above, and then a coat of paint is applied to the faces of the first and second plurality of panels. The temperature of the heating means of the frame is then raised to the required degree and then maintained for the required time to properly bake the first coat of paint. The heat is then interrupted and the panels allowed to cool to the point where additional paint may be applied to the sign posters. After each application of paint to the sign panels, the heat is then again raised for a sufficient time and at a sumcient temperature to bake the additional phase of the copy. This sequence of steps is followed until the sign is completed. In this manner a practical method is provided for producing individual baked enamel display panels with very little more effort than is required to paint a conventional It should be noted that in the application of posters to sign panels, these posters are generally applied by means of a suitable adhesive, and upon completion of the application of the posters on the panels which are normally formed of a light metallic substance such as aluminum, the posted surface is quite moist and can not ordinarily be handled for quite a while. By applying heat in the enclosed space formed between two sets of panels in cooperation with the framework, the rear surface of the panels is heated and heat is conducted through to the posted surface thereby drying out moisture on the surface. This forced drying provides a quick means of getting the panels in condition for handling such that they may be immediately removed from the frame and moved to the desired location.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of making signs which permits posting of the signs in the shop and subsequently erecting the signs at a remote location.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of applying and heating sign posters to quickly get the sign panels in condition for handling.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a method of simply forming a baked enamel finish on sign panels.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a supporting and drying frame for making signs which is simple and inexpensive in construction and yet which is sturdy and eflicient in operation.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a method of making signs wherein no special skill is required and which can be carried out without the necessity of utilizing special tools and equipment.

Other objects and many attendant advantages of the invention will become more apparent when considered in connection with the specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a supporting and drying frame according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the frame shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevation of an individual unit of the frame;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the lower portion of the frame.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the frame indicated generally by reference numeral 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a plurality of individual units 11 shown as being four in number, these units being disposed in abutting relationship with one another to provide the completed framework. Each of the individual units 11 includes a pair of vertically extending members 15, each of which has a channel configuration as shown in FIG. 5 with the open slots 16 of the channels facing inwardly toward one another.

Plates 17 are secured to the lower inner surfaces of each of channels 15 with the plates spanning the slots 16 in the channel members, the lower edges of plates 17 being substantially planar with the lower edges of the vertical support members 15. The opposite edges 18 of plates 17 taper downwardly and outwardly. Elongated channel members 20 having a substantially U-shaped cross section are secured to the lower ends of plates 17; members 15, 17, and 20 being secured to one another by bolts in a conventional manner, each of these components being preferably constructed of a relatively rigid material such as hot rolled steel. It is apparent that plates 17 and elongated members 20 provide an effective support for the units whereby there is no chance of the units tipping over when sign panels are mounted thereon.

As seen most clearly in FIG. 7, an elongated angle member having a substantially L-shaped cross sectional configuration is bolted at the opposite ends thereof to the vertical members 15 of the unit. A gutter member 26 having a substantially U-shaped cross sectional configuration is provided with a longitudinally extending outer edge bead 27, the inner edge end 28 thereof being clamped between angle member 25 and the vertical members 15 for supporting the gutter in operative position.

A pair of elongated support members 30 having a substantially square cross section as seen in FIG. 7 are disposed in spanning relationship between the flange portions 15' of the vertical support members 15, the opposite ends of support members 30 being suitably secured as by welding to the flange portions 15'. Support members 30 serve to support the heating means thereon indicated by reference numeral in operative position. Heating means 35 comprises an elongated housing having a lower wall 36 and spaced side walls 37 extending upwardly therefrom. The uppermost portions of the side walls 38 are offset with respect to the lower portion 37 thereof to provide a shoulder portion 39 extending longitudinally along opposite side portions of the hous ing of the heating means. Shoulder portions 39 rest upon the upper surfaces of support members 30 such that the housing of the heater is supported by its own weight on the support members 30. The housing of the heating means may be dropped into operative position as shown after the framework is assembled.

A pair of conventional electrical strip heating elements 4%, including electrical resistance elements are supported at the opposite ends thereof within the housing of the heating means, the electrical leads 41 thereof being connected to a junction box 42 as seen in FIG. 3 which is supported from the lower surface of the housing of the heating unit.

A conduit 43 is connected to a conventional switch or ot ier control means (not shown) which is in turn connected with a source of electrical energy. The lower portions of the side walls 37 of the heating means are provided with a plurality of aligned openings 45 formed therein whereby air may circulate into the housing and the upper portion of the housing is open except for a plurality of cross braces 46 which are connected between walls 38 of the housing for reinforcing the intermediate portions thereof.

As seen most clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4, a pair of angle members 50 and 51 having a substantially L-shaped cross section are bolted against opposite ends thereof to the flange portions 15 of each of vertical members 15. A first pair of elongated angle members 54 having an L-shaped cross section are supported upon the horizontally extending legs of angle members 50 and have the end portions thereof bolted to such horizontally extending legs whereby angle members 54 are supported in operative position and cooperate with the horizontally extending support members 15 to provide a rigid framework. A second pair of elongated angle members 55 are supported upon the horizontally extending legs of angle members 51 and have the opposite end portions bolted thereto in a manner similar to that in which angle members 54 are supported.

An attaching member is secured to the outer surface of each of horizontally extending angle members 54 and 55, attaching members 60 being bolted at substantially the mid points of the horizontally extending members 54 and 55 and each including an offset hook portion 60' which are adapted to engage cooperating portions of the panels mounted on the framework for locking the panels in operative position.

An upper bracket is secured to the flange portions 15 of each of vertical support members 15 by bolts or the like and includes a downwardly and inwardly extendmg leg portion 65' bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the upper end of a cross brace member 66. A lower bracket 67 is also secured to the flanges 15' of the vertrcal members 15 as by bolts or the like and includes an upwardly and inwardly extending leg 67' which is bolted or otherwise suitably connected to the lower end of each of cross brace members 66. It is evident that cross brace members 66 further serve to rigidity and strengthen the framework of the present invention. As seen most clearly in FIGS. 4 and 6, a top member 70 lncludes a first pair of downwardly extending side walls 71 through which bolts 72 extend as seen in FIG. 3 for securmg the top member to the upper ends of vertical supports 15. Horizontal walls 73 extend laterally outwardly from side walls 71 and terminate in downwardly projecting flanges '74- which are spaced from the outer edge portions of the framework as defined by the outer edges of vertical support members 15. The individual units as shown in FIG. 3 have been described in some detail, and as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of units 11 may be disposed in abutting relationship with one another, the number of units so arranged being selected in accordance with the number of panels upon which it is desired to apply the signs. As shown in the drawings, four of the units have been disposed in abutting relationship, each of the units being substantially the width of a panel such that a 4-paneled sign may be posted on the frame as shown.

As seen in FIG. 1, four panels, 80, 81, 82, and 83 are in placeon 'the'farside portion'of the frame, and a panel 85 is being lifted towardthe frame such that it can be mounted in operative'position onthe rear side portion of the frame. The panels are each provided with a pair of rearwardly extending looped "portions (not shown) on the rear'side of the panels which are adapted to'slide over the hooked'portion6 ti' ofthe attachingmeansfl] on horizontal members 54 and 55 of the frame.

Thepanel is lifted until the lower edge thereof is supportedon the upper surfaceof angle member 25 With the upper portion of thepanel received 'within the space defined between the outeredge of support members 15 and the inner surface of dependent flanges 74 of top member'70. The-panel is then slid to the left such that the looped portions thereon engage hook members 60 for positively locking thepanel in position. Itis evident thatthree additional panels are mounted in a similar manner on the various units 11 such that when in assembled position, the panels are in substantially edge-toedge relationship with one another. The panels are then ready to have the sign applied thereto, the exposed faces of the panels upon which the sign is to be applied lying substantially in a plane as is evident.

If a poster sign means is to be posted on the panels, the poster isadhesive'ly applied to the panels at one side portionof the'frame, and the heating elements 40 energized so as to'heat thespace which is enclosed by .the panelsand the top member 70 of the frame. The workers then move around to the other side of the frame and post the panels mounted on the other side. While the secondplurality of panels is being posted, the moisture is dried from the poster surfaces of the first-mentioned plurality of panels. Upon completion of the posting of the second plurality of panels, the workers again move around to the first side of the frame and remove the dried panels and quickly place another plurality of panels in position for posting. It is evident that this procedure can be continued indefinitely and a substantially continuous posting process is obtained. It is, of course, apparent that the gutter members 26 serve to receive any excess moisture or adhesive substance which may drop from the panels as they are being posted, thereby preventing such matter from falling on the floor or supporting surface.

After a posted surface has dried and it is desired to remove the posted panels from the frame, the poster means is out along the seams defined by adjacent edges of the sign panels such that the poster means is separated into areas coextensive with those of the panel surfaces upon which they are mounted. The panels may then be readily removed from the supporting frame, and this subsequently be mounted upon a sign board to provide the finished sign.

When it is desired to apply a baked enamel surface to sign board panels, the panels are mounted upon the frame is exactly the same manner as described in connection with applying poster sign means, and then the process is carried out as described previously by alternately energizing and tie-energizing the heating elements between application of the various coats of paint or enamel on the surfaces of the panels.

It is apparent from the foregoing that there is provided a new and novel method of applying signs to panels of sign' boards while in the shop. The method according to the present invention produces the force drying of one set of panels while another set of panels is being posted and in this manner the panels may be handled at the earliest moment, and a continuous posting process may be conducted. In addition, a method is provided for successfully obtaining baked enamel finishes on sign panels in an efficient manner. The method according to the present invention is quite simple, requiring no special skill and experience, and also eliminating the necessity of employing special tools and the like. The supporting and drying frame itself is quite simple and EB inexpensive in construction and yet is sturdy and efficient in operation. The frame incorporates means for producing rapid drying of the panels by heating an intermediate chamber which .is enclosed by the panels and the frame itself.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, and since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as Well as conjointly cooperative equivalents are therefore intended to be embraced by those claims.

I claim:

1. As a new combination in sign preparation, a pair of panels each adapted to have a sign poster secured to one face thereof, a supporting and drying frame for cooperation with said panels and having two sides against each of which a panel is adapted to be placed, said frame comprising at least two horizontally spaced relatively wide uprights each having substantially parallel vertical edge flanges directed toward the flanges of the other upright, a horizontal top member connecting the top ends of said uprights and being of substantially the same width as the uprights, said top member having an outwardly projecting flange joining a downwardly projecting flange extending longitudinally of each side thereof, the downwardly projecting flanges being in outwardly spaced relation with the adjacent edge flanges of the uprights, horizontal support means for the frame secured to the lower ends of said uprights, horizontal bars extending across thewidth of the frame at each side thereof between and connecting the uprights, each bar providing a panel supporting flange projecting forwardly from the adjacent vertical edge flangesof the uprights, at least one horizontal member connected between the uprights and intermediate the top member and said bars, each of said panels being of a size to have its top edge engaged bebind the adjacent downwardly projecting flange of the top member and positioned against the adjacent upright edge flanges when the panel is supported with its bottom edge upon a panel supporting flange whereby when each side of the frame has a panel thereagainst a heat chamber will be provided between the panels, means located between said uprights below the horizontal plane of said flanges for providing heated air to said chamber, and means carried by the said intermediate member for engaging a cooperating means on the other face of a panel when the panel is placed in vertical position against a side of the frame, for holding the panel in such vertical position.

2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the said means carried by said intermediate member embodies a forwardly offset hook portion directed toward one lateral side of the frame.

3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the said means for providing heated air to said chamber comprises an elongate housing having bottom, side and end walls and an open top, the said side walls having upper portions offset outwardly to provide longitudinally extending shoulder portions, there being a longitudinally extending support member disposed along the inner side of each of said panel supporting flanges and extending between said uprights upon which support members the said side wall shoulder portions of the housing rest where by the housing is removably suspended in position, and there being a heating element disposed within the housing.

4. A supporting and drying frame for signs, comprising a rigid open framework including a plurality of substantially vertically extending members, a plurality of substantially horizontally extending members rigidly secured to said vertically extending members and thereby defining spaced substantially parallel side portions, certain of said horizontally extending members having fixed attaching means supported thereon at a position intermediate said vertically extending members and including a forwardly oifset hook portion directed toward one lateral side of the framework for en aging sign panels and locking the sign panels in position on the framework, said framework also including flange means at the lower part thereof extendin longitudinally along said opposite side portions thereof and projecting forwardly therefrom for supporting sign panels at said opposite side portions of the framework in spaced relationship with one another, and a heating unit suspended at the lower portion of said framework intermediate said side portions for supplying heat in the space of the framework defined between the side portions thereof, gutter means projecting forwardly from said framework at the lower portion thereof and extending longitudinally of the framework along and below said flange means for receiving material which may drop from panels supported on the framework during operation.

5. A supporting and drying frame for signs, comprising a plurality of substantially vertically extending horizontal- 1y spaced members, crossed brace members having opposite ends thereof connected to said vertical members for rigidifying the framework, a plurality of substantially horizontally extending members having opposite end por- 25 side portions of said vertically extending members at the upper portion of the framework and second flange means extending substantially parallel to said first flange means and projecting forwardly from opposite side portions of said vertically extending members at the lower portion of said framework, and heating means supported at the lower portion of said framework between and at an elevation below said last mentioned flange means, said last mentioned flange means and said first flange means cooperating to support sign panels in substantially edge-to-edge relationship along opposite side portions of said framework, and said heating means being adapted to supply heat in the space between panels supported on the framework, and gutter structure at and extending across each of said opposite side portions of the framework at the lower part of the latter and at an elevation below the adjacent second flange means, each said gutter structure having an inner longitudinal edge fixed between the adjacent flange means and a support means forming a part of the framework whereby the gutter structure is operatively supported.

References (Titer! in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 972,579 Shepard Oct. 11, 1910 1,255,915 Mueller Feb. 12, 1918 1,675,357 Kollman et al July 3, 1928 1,994,284 Martinek Mar. 12, 1935 2,216,244 Kutsche Oct. 1, 1940 2,291,651 Robinson Aug. 4, 1942 2,323,105 Welch June 29, 1943 2,877,564 Leportier Mar. 17, 1959 

1. AS A NEW COMBINATION IN SIGN PREPARATION, A PAIR OF PANELS EACH ADAPTED TO HAVE A SIGN POSTER SECURED TO ONE FACE THEREOF, A SUPPORTING AND DRYING FRAME FOR COOPERATION WITH SAID PANELS AND HAVING TWO SIDES AGAINST EACH OF WHICH A PANEL IS ADAPTED TO BE PLACED, SAID FRAME COMPRISING AT LEAST TWO HORIZONTALLY SPACED RELATIVELY WIDE UPRIGHTS EACH HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL VERTICAL EDGE FLANGES DIRECTED TOWARD THE FLANGES OF THE OTHER UPRIGHT, A HORIZONTAL TOP MEMBER CONNECTING THE TOP ENDS OF SAID UPRIGHTS AND BEING OF SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME WIDTH AS THE UPRIGHTS, SAID TOP MEMBER HAVING AN OUTWARDLY PROJECTING FLANGE JOINING A DOWNWARDLY PROJECTING FLANGE EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OF EACH SIDE THEREOF, THE DOWNWARDLY PROJECTING FLANGES BEING IN OUTWARDLY SPACED RELATION WITH THE ADJACENT EDGE FLANGES OF THE UPRIGHTS, HORIZONTAL SUPPORT MEANS FOR THE FRAME SECURED TO THE LOWER ENDS OF SAID UPRIGHTS, HORIZONTAL BARS EXTENDING ACROSS THE WIDTH OF THE FRAME AT EACH SIDE THEREOF BETWEEN AND CONNECTING THE UPRIGHTS, EACH BAR PROVIDING A PANEL SUPCONNECTING THE UPRIGHTS, EACH BAR PROVIDING A PANEL SUPPORTING FLANGE PROJECTING FORWARDLY FROM THE ADJACENT VERTICAL EDGE FLANGES OF THE UPRIGHTS, AT LEAST ONE HORIZONTAL MEMBER CONNECTED BETWEEN THE UPRIGHTS AND INTERMEDIATE THE TOP MEMBER AND SAID BARS, EACH OF SAID PANELS BEING OF A SIZE TO HAVE ITS TOP EDGE ENGAGED BEHIND THE ADJACENT DOWNWARDLY PROJECTING FLANGE OF THE TOP MEMBER AND POSITIONED AGANIST THE ADJACENT UPRIGHT 